In order to provide unique, hands-on learning experiences for children, California State Parks has been working to expand its distance learning program, PORTS(Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Schools).

PORTS is a collaboration with innovative ed tech companies to provide one-of-a-kind learning experiences for teachers and students. For instance, in a partnership with Belkin Education, a networking and accessories company, PORTS is offering real-time virtual field trips in 10 California state parks, conducted by state park rangers. Units of study include kelp forests, redwood ecology, monarch butterfly migration and historical subjects like the Gold Rush.

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Daniels Real Estate will invest nearly $50 million to rehab historic building; associated land exchange will add acres and trails to state park

OLYMPIA – Jan. 9, 2017 – In an historic decision today, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to accept a 62-year lease with Daniels Real Estate of Seattle to rehabilitate the Saint Edward Seminary Building at Saint Edward State Park near Kenmore.

As part of the agreement, Daniels agreed to purchase a 9.7-acre private property that lies adjacent to the park and transfer it to State Parks in exchange for adaptive re-use of the building as a lodge. The property adds to the park’s acreage and natural area along Lake Washington and allows the agency to appropriately manage trails as part of Saint Edward State Park.

“This project to rehabilitate Saint Edward Seminary will be a great value to the state of Washington ” said Steve Milner, Commission chair. “Thanks to Daniels, our staff and the public who participated in our very thorough public process, we are going to be able to change a significant liability into an asset for our state. Our state’s population continues to grow, and Saint Edward and the Seminary are in an urban area. I think the historic structure will draw new people into the park and introduce them, not only to the historic features but the natural aesthetic of the park and our state.”

“We’re very excited to know that this incredible iconic building will be saved for the public to enjoy,” said Don Hoch, agency director. “We’re grateful to Daniels for his ongoing commitment and for his generosity and passion for historic projects and the public benefit they provide.”

Kevin Daniels expressed his enthusiasm for what he says is a unique and challenging project. “It was satisfying to see the overwhelming support for the project,” Daniels said. “It’s also been enjoyable meeting and talking with the people in the community of Kenmore, realizing that the park and this project are very important to them. We’re all going to be working together on something special for our state and future generations.”

The Commission had a special public meeting on Thursday evening in Kenmore to take final public comment on the proposal, then convened a special meeting today in Olympia for consideration on the decision. The special meeting included a conference line at Kenmore City Council so that interested public could listen in.

More than 200 people attended the Thursday public meeting, with a large majority voicing supporting of the project. Some testimony included concerns over specifics of the lease, including the amount of outdoor education space provided and issues around parking revenue. Staff subsequently met with Daniels and addressed these concerns, providing lease refinements to the Commission prior to their decision today. The lease and amendments are available online:http://parks.state.wa.us/154/Commission-Meetings-Agendas.

Following the special meeting today, Kevin Daniels and State Parks Director Don Hoch signed the lease agreement and the property transfer. Once the property transfer is finalized, the lease will take effect.

State Parks acquired Saint Edward State Park in 1977. Since that time, the agency has explored a number of ideas for preservation, rehabilitation and re-use of the park’s iconic Seminary Building and grounds. In September 2014, the Commission considered management options ranging from building demolition to rehabilitation—and adopted rehabilitation as its preferred option.

The Commission determined it would need to enter a partnership with a private or public entity to secure the capital investment needed to successfully rehabilitate the building. Any project would be required to align with the State Parks mission.

It is anticipated that the lease agreement will generate additional annual revenue for State Parks through new Discover Pass sales and approximately $260,000 per year through access fees paid by overnight lodge guests.

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Across the nation thousands of Americans started 2017 off on the “right foot” by attending a First Day Hike in America’s State Parks. On January 1, 2017, more than 1,300 First Day Hikes were offered in all 50 states from Alaska to Florida to 61,800 participants covering over 111,850 miles.

“America’s state parks offer diverse and unique natural and cultural resources. First Day Hikes are a way park rangers, naturalists and volunteers can bring history to life and share their insights of nature,” said Ellen Graham, First Day Hikes Coordinator and Chief Naturalist, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.

Iowa almost tripled the number of participants and miles hiked in 2016. This year they added nine new parks and the annual event is becoming a family friendly tradition with returning hikers in spite of the 30-degree temperatures. As a hiker in a Washington State Park stated, “I like walking in the park in the winter, no snakes and no bugs, and it is so quiet I can hear my heartbeat.”

Despite temperatures that never got above freezing in South Dakota, they saw the highest attendance in six years. Two parks got out the snowshoes and one even had cross-country skiers! In Montana with sub-zero temperatures and heavy falling snow in many areas, there were hearty souls hiking along the trails. Over 700 hikers braved 5-12 inches of snow in in New Hampshire parks and enjoyed the winter wildlife, spotting 3 bald eagles.

In Hawaii some hikers began their trek to see the sunrise at 2:30 a.m. over the ocean with views of Molokai and Maui from 560-foot cliff top perches. Several states hosted fun runs and fitness challenges. In Indiana there were over 200 participants for a 3.5 mile run.

As an Arkansas hiker stated, “We were here last year and enjoyed it so much we wanted to come back this year!”

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The National Association of State Park Directors promotes and advocates for the state park systems across America in providing for conservation and management of natural and cultural resources, quality outdoor recreation experiences, connecting children and families to nature and the outdoors, and more. With more than 10,200 park areas and visitation of 760 million annually, the economic impact to local communities is estimated to exceed $20 billion each year. America’s State Parks is an alliance of state park systems in all 50 states.

Below is a brief video link from Hawaii on their pre-dawn hike, as well as a sampling of the media reports from various states.

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Flathead Lake state parks drew the most visitors in Montana during peak season

Alongside record visitation at Glacier National Park, the state parks across this region and all of Montana experienced record attendance in 2016, according to annual data released last week.

Montana State Parks drew more than 2.65 million visits in 2016, a 7 percent increase over 2015, according to statistics released by the state agency. The annual tally marks the fourth consecutive year of record visitation. Statewide visitation is up 33 percent over five years ago and 39 percent over the decade.

The rifle club noted its members often like to camp at Trap Pond State Park or rent a cottage at Seashore State Park during nearby shooting competitions yet they are unable to do so because of the ban. Plaintiffs also argued a need exists to carry firearms for protection.

Many of the early parks and preservation projects accomplished in the United States were through legislative acts by
the states. There was recognition of this growing responsibility in a relatively new field of public service. It
was through early successes that such American landmarks as Niagara Falls, the California redwoods, and the San
Jacinto battleground were saved for prosperity. A few years later, guided by Stephen Mather, the first National
Conference on [State] Parks to promote state and other public parks was conceived, organized, convened and actively
supported by practically every park and conservation luminary in the country. Held in Des Moines, Iowa in January
1921, it brought together some 200 highly motivated delegates and ignited a “prairie fire” for the development of
public parks across America. From the success of this auspicious convocation of modest beginnings grew a national
state park movement that has achieved unimaginable success.11Adapted from The State Park Movement in America by Ney Landrum

America’s State Parks today include more than 2,200 traditional state parks and more than 8,100 additional
areas that provide wonderful outdoor recreation experiences and unique historical, scientific and environmental
education opportunities. Eighteen and one-half million acres provide for grand diversity – from the vastness of a
half-million acre mountainous landscape, to the colorful intricacies of a living coral reef, to the world’s longest
stalactite formation, to the tallest sand on the Atlantic seaboard, to the historic locations where European
settlers first came to America, and much more. This mosaic of the natural resources and cultural fabric of America
and the splendor of its beauty are enjoyed by 791 million visitors to state parks annually. Both remote and resort
in their offerings, America’s State Parks are indeed yours to explore and experience.

Now, as during the past century and the beginning of the state park movement, the support of partners are invaluable
to success of parks. America’s State Parks have long been recognized their accessibility, and for
their effectiveness and management efficiencies.

Support from individuals, friends groups and corporate America are central to continuing to provide and advance quality
outdoor recreation experiences and opportunities in America’s State Parks and safeguard their importance to the
nation’s environment, heritage, health and economy.